Machine for covering balls



April 14, 1942; w. E. HUMPHREY 21279.921

MACHINE FOR COVERING BALLS Fi1ed sept. 16, 1939 f 11 sheets-sen 1 l l; 1Q i- E# April 14, 1942. w. E. HUMPHREY I MACHINE' Fon cov/BRING. BALLS l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sept. 1e, 193g lNv N'roR WALTER EJE/Mikey ATTORNEYS 11 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR Musk E /aqP//pgy ATTORNEYS i NNY NM.\ SQ wm\ i L www.

w. E. HUMPHREY MACHINE FOR COVERING' BALLS Filed sept.- 16, 1939 April14, 1942.

April, 14, 1942. w. E. HUMPHREY 2,279,921

v MACHINE FoR covERING BALLS Filed sept. 1s, V1939 11 'sheets-sheet 4 f ATTORNEYS April 14, 1942. w. E. HUMPHREY l' 2.279.921

MACHINE FOR covERm BALLS Filed sept. 16, 1959 11 sheets-sheet 5 w 'm'l'fwun @y 34 i i /25 V 265 i 265 ENTOR ATTORNEYS l April 14 1942- w.' E. HUMPHREY 2,279,921

MACHINE FOR covERING BALLS Filed Sept. 16. 1939 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR W94 rsf; 5. Hump/wey q m y ATTORNEYS April 14, 1942 Iw. E. HUMPHREY K 2,279,921

MACHINE FOR COVERING BALLS Filed Sept. 16, 1939 .l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORN EYS W. E. HUMPHREY MAGHINE- FOR COVERING BALLS April 14, 1942.

Filed. sept'. 1e. 1959 11 shets-sheet a INVENTOR .ATTORNEYS April 14, 1942. w. E. HuMPl-IREY I MACHINE FOR COVERING BALLS Filed sept. 16. 1959 11 sheets-sheet 9 Y ATTORNEYS April 14, 1942.l

w. E.. HUMPHREY. MACHINE Fon cof/BRING BALLS File-d Sept. 16, 1939 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 IN veA/rm? ATTORNEYS April14,1942. w. E. HUMPHREY l Y2,279,921

MACHINE FOR COVERING BALLS Filled sept.- 1ef 1939 11 sheetssheet 11 am.l

245 354 f 258 l 9 g/ 230 l 2 ffl/242 |NvENToR` "gy I Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,279,921 MACHINE Fon CovERING BALLS Walter E. Humphrey, Jeannette, Pa. h

Application September 16, 1939, Serial No. 295,300

43 Claims. (Cl. 154-16) The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the covering of balls and particularly for the application of the outer feltI covering to the core of a tennisball. So far as is known toapplicant, no successful machine has ever been devisedfor applying the felt cover to a ball of this type, the covering operations having heretofore been done wholly or principally by hand. The machine shownherein performs the covering wholly automatically and turns out a fully covered ball ready for the nal set-up cure for the cement in a fraction of a minute, so that the cost of manufacture` of tennis balls is greatly reduced.

The machine operation also secures further advantages in that the two 8-shaped feltsections of the usual Cassinian outline which form the outer cover are applied more uniformly than is possible by previous methods. In the application of the covers by hand, there is a tendency to overstretch one of the coversections and to over-condense the other which results in an unevenly balanced ball. The machine is designed and operates so that the cover sections are applied equally about the ball. The sections of an unevenly applied cover will shrink'to different degrees during the final set-up cure; with the operation as performed by the machine illustrated and described, the nal heat treatment willr react alike on both sections of the cover, eliminating the wide cracks often found between the cover sections of the old hand-applied cover.

In my prior copending application Serial No.

272,614, filed May 9, 1939,'there is described and claimed the process of covering and the applig cator members or hands, per se, together with a simple operating mechanism to cause these elements to perform their operations in the required sequence. The present application is for the complete'organized machine, including the applicator devices, together with mechanism for loading the applicators, for holding the ball core before the applicators act and discharging the ball, all of said parts being associated with actuating and timing mechanism to cause the several elements to act in properly timed sequence.

CIT

performed in a few seconds and a more perfect covered ball is secured. n i

It isalso an object'of therinvention to provide means Ifor uniformly condensing covergsections for tennis balls.

In the manufacture of tennis balls, a pressure filled, rubber center or ball core is coated with a rubber cement which remains in tacky condition during the covering operation. The two felt cover l pieces are also coated on one side with asticky i cement, and after the application ofthe cover, the ball is given the final cure.

It will be appreciated that drawings are necessarily detailedasvis desirable for a full and adequate disclosure of the'bestr known or preferred form of theinvention, but

theA claims are not "limited to details but 'are` vintended to be of suicient scope to cover and protect thel invention in modifications, alterations and improvements falling within its scope.

In the drawings in which a successful and preferred vembodiment ofthe invention is shown:

Fig. 1 is a frontfelevation of the entire machine, showing the position of its'various elements at the beginningof the covering opera-` tion. K

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionor plan ofthe machine taken on'the linef2`2 of 1"ig.` 1 atvthe top of the front plate, the loadingplatesbeing' omitted to disclose the mechanism beneatlki.:`

Fig. 3 is a plan view immediately below the bed plate on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

, Fig. 4 isv a'vertical section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2, showing the ball'core in position and the grippers `or fingers which, when advanced,

` hold the ball in the interval after the ball support is lowered and before the hands or applic ators reach the ball. v v

Fig. 5 is a section'o'n the line 5 5 of Fig. 2 showing the actuating mechanism for the loading operation. I

Fig. 6 vis a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2

i showing the loading device ingreater` detail and The only duties which are required of themathe complete cycle of operations is successfully alsothemechanism for turning the left hand applicator from the position in which itis held ,during the loading ofthe hands or applicators the applying of the cover takes place. Y

Fig. '7 is a vertical-longitudinal section on the line-'1 1 of Fig. 3' showing the driving means to the position aty right angles' thereto'in which for the several instrumentalities of the machine I and a portion lof the timing unit and the several controls for the parts of the machine.

rig. s is, la, view of the forward part of the machine, similar to Fig. 2', but showing the the description and l perimeter ofthe and before the plunger nattens out the coverpiece.

of Fig. 10. l

. Fig. 11 is a transverse section, taken', on the line II--II of Fig. 9, showing the elementsat the end ofvtlieloading stroke.

Fig. 10a is a detail section on the line IIla-Ia f. f

' each other.

Vfingers moua toward the ball and seize and hold `it until theapplicators contact the ball, and just after these ngers seize the ball the temusually having been done while the machine was ygoing vthrough its preceding covering operation.

The operator then presses a starting button y which starts the timing mechanism and the sub- Fig. 12 is a horizontal section ontherjline I 2-I2 Fig. 13 is e pien view of the ieadirig' device.

Figs. A14, 1,16, A18,.2 0and 2 2 are kside elevations Vof the various rtiming! devices which control ,the .sequence` of operations ofjy ,theV Vv various elements,

-' of Fig. 2.

rigs. l15,17, 19, 2.1and.2'3} are enlarged pien l detail er the`be11 rest.

view showing a typical cover sec- .jiousviews as A. This isrzoated:with'an adhefsive rubber cementusually containing some cur- 1 ing agentwhich will lsetup on). the nal cure. fT-he two felt cover-,piecesjare shown at B and Bf, being of the usual shape` and also coated Witha tackyfcBinent;-on the side.which contacts the :In describingthe 'machnep the Acover piece .whichfis applied by the jright handapplicator will :beeknown as Bland fthe one` applied at the vleftashB. The ycover pieces are usually in aggregate area somewhat 'larger than the outside `being taken-onlthe corresponding section lines 'plicator in thecontracted'condition. 'By providing the mechanism in the-machine for compactfing-each cover piece, -the uniform condensation of V-the `coverand the consequent'balancingof the ball are secured.y '1`he'dotted'line B2' about the -cover piece in Fig. 25 `shows thedegreeiof condensation secured, this lin'e representingthe recess within the handr roi' applicator.v Y l Briefagrmenter;theaterdans* l'Fig... 1V, the -operatorplaces a prepared lball core "upon-f the .temporary ballgrest' in the center-of the mfachir-ieploeg wenn the-two applicators or hands, each-,oi v v high-isin substantially horizontal positionfbutfatright angles with'respect f toeachother.. 'hisis shown 2 where the larly positioned, the insertion ofthe cover pieces llliitli'thefmac ineinfthe position shown inV sequent operations take place automatically until the machine returns to the position shown in Fig. 1, having delivered `a fully covered ball. .The rst of theseoperations is to load both applicators with theirpreparedcovers. Thereupon the applicators turnthrough. an angle of 90 so that they? face the ball co're inthe position shown in Fig. 8, but are at right angles to At the same time two grippers or porary ball restismoved out of the Way. The

ltwo handsf which are flexible, articulated members, then fold about the ball 4and make the first applicationof the coi/en., It is thendesirable totampeaclrsection ofthe cover in place and for thispurposeiirst one hand and then the otherk withdraws an/dretums te. `the pe11, the second applctid f.. hfhanfservingto temp andl compressiits;l covrfpiece iniposition', the edgesjofth'efhandf acting toj spread .the cover pieces bforei they are set .'andlthus close` the gaps betweenl the jadjacentfedges.` of the. cover. In the machine 'asfshojwmfthe 'left yhand side rtemps nrstgand then; the righthandside. As

each applicator passesjabout more than onehalf ofthe ball perimeter, the Lball core is always held by one or the other applicator.

When then two tampin'g" voperz`a ,t io'ns have been performed, .both applicatorsr withdraw and the coveredball .is'releaseld and drops into a lcontainer. It .maybe advisableA to cause thegrippers to i'eturn momentarilyjust before the applicators 'retreat at the end of the operation to seize 'the coveredj-ball and prevent sticking Ato oneof the applicators;A I .Y

The machine' frame 'and driving mechanisms `The frame offthej machine comprises a 'bed plate I supported g at suflicientgdistance from the nearby/standards? Acrossthe front of the machine andsecur ed to the forward standards andthe bed .plateis 7the front'plate 3 upon which the main operativ parts of Lthe'machine are supported., 4Qn theu'ndersideofthe 'bed plate is the main driving motor and reduction gearing housing,jthroughfwhichl driven the main driving shaft Bftoonen end Aof which is secured the sprocket' 8- which, through chain 9, drives a second `sprocket I Q. The lsprocket I0 is fixed Ato a companion sprocket I 2 and keyed to the shaftV I4 'mountedzinajbracket I5 lon the underside o f the bed'plate-(se Fig 4)`. This shaft I4 operates the-grippingifingerslas will bedescribed.

From the sprocket' I 2 i'sfdriven' the long chain I 6 which, aswslhown'in Fig''l, passes over the several. drivin'gsprckets and idler sprockets there illustrated to drlves'the' operating elements of the machine -;The several driven sprockets and idler sprockets; and theirfunctions will now Frompthe` sprocket;V I.2 the chain I6 passes through the bed plateJandthen partly around a sprocket I8 VA(Fig 6) `secured to a shaft 20 f mounted in bracket-2 Ivonthe -topf the bed plate.

j ,This sprocket rotates the ,le'ftyhand applicator. C

from loadingfto applying'position. r

The vchain then `passes about the yidler 22 land `thence `aroundthesprocket; (24 which is xedjto 'the end of the shaft 25 mounted in the standard vthe clutch will drivethe mechanism actuatedA 26 which also serves to support the idler 22. This shaft actuates the applicator and the loading plunger of the left hand unit, iaising the former and lowering the latter to transfer the cover piece from the loader D to the applicator C.

From sprocket 24 the chain passes around the sprocket 28 fixed to shaft 29 which advances the applicator C after it is moved to horizontal position for the application of the cover section B (Fig. 2).

From the sprocket 28 the chain passes beneath the adjustable chain tightening idler lmounted in the standard 3l and thence to the sprocket 33 for the right hand applicator C corresponding to the sprocket 28. The sprockets 34, 35 and 36 correspond to the sprockets 24, 22 andV I8, respectively, but arerfor the similar elements on the right hand side of the machine. All of the driving sprockets just described have the same number of teeth, so that all of their shafts are driven at the same speed.

Referring to Fig. 3, the shaft 6 also drives, through the reductionv gearing indicated at 38, a shaft 39 mounted in the bracket 4D underneath the bed plate, which shaft 39 carries a sprocket 42 driving a long chain 43 extending across the machine to a sprocket 45. Sprocketl 45 is xed to a shaft 46 carried in a bracket 41 on the underside of the bed plate, this shaft driving the timing mechanism to be described.

The several driving shafts which have been described and which operate all of the moving parts of the machine, including the timing shaft itself, drive their respective mechanisms through similar friction clutch elements. The friction clutches are numbered consecutively and a description of one will suce for all.

The friction clutch 50 (Fig. 4), which is operated from the shaft I4, actuates the grippers or fingers for holding the ball. The friction'clutchv 5I, which is driven from the shaft 20 and sprocket I8, performs the loading operation on the left hand unit. The friction clutch 52, which is driven from the shaft 25, controls the rotation of the left hand applicator C. Friction clutch 53 controls the operation of advancing and retracting the applicator C' when in horizontal position and clutch 54 the applicator C on the right hand side of the machine. Friction clutch 55 corresponde on the right to clutch 52 on the left and clutch 56 on the right to clutch 5l on the left. All of the foregoing clutches are shown in their respective locations on Fig. 2.

The friction clutch 51, which is driven from the sprocket 45 and shaft 4B, is located beneath the v bed plate and is shown in Fig. 3. This clutch controls the operation of the timing shaft.

The several clutches are of the same general character and construction anda description of one clutch will suffice.

Referring now to the clutch 50,y shown in Fig. 4,`

which is representative of all of the clutches, the clutch comprises a driving disk 50 which is splined upon its driving shaft I4, but is moved toward the driven disk 62, loose upon the shaft, by a heavy coil spring 63 located between the disk and the adjusting nuts 64 on the end of the shaft. A friction washer or pad 65 is located between the faces of the disks. The outer rim of the driven disk 62 is provided with an approriate number of teeth 66, (in the case of the disk 62 there are four teeth), and these teeth are adapted to be engaged by a catch on a trigger lever 68. As the trigger lever is moved away from the disk momentarily by the timing mechanismI thereby until the next tooth is engaged, unless, as in some cases, the trigger is held out of the path of a tooth for a sufficient interval'to allow the succeeding tooth to passfthe trigger.

The corresponding clutches 5I and 56 'each have two teeth'and are controlled by the vertically reciprocating triggers 69 and'10 (see Fig. 1). The clutches 52 and 55 each have one tooth and are controlled bythe triggers 1l and 12, and the clutches 53 and 54 each have two teeth and are controlled by the triggers 13 and 14. The timing clutch 51 has a single tooth and is controlled by the trigger 15. N

It will be seen that the several triggers constitute escapement mechanisms and that in each case the amount of shaft rotation, when the operation of the trigger is momentary, is controlled by the number of teeth on each` clutch. But if the trigger is held out for a longer period so that a tooth passes the trigger before the latter Yis brought back into its initialposition, a more extended rotation of the shaft will occur. In the case of the clutches 53 and 54, the respective triggers are depressed in alternation for asuicient period to allow the left hand and then the right hand applicator to make two complete strokes as is necessary to perform the tamping operation to be described. In the case of the clutch 50, a single tooth is released when the ball is gripped before the start of the covering operation, and again as the applicators reach the ball,V but at the end of the covering operation, two teeth are released to permit the grippers to seize the ball momentarily.

Each trigger is actuated by an electric solcnoid which is energized at 'the proper timed interval bythe timing mechanism, the construction and operation of which will be deferred until after the principal operative mechanisms are fully covered.

The loadingl mechanism and the loader D having its long axis at right angles to the front plate. The description for either unit D or 'D' will apply equally to the other, and while the left hand loader is shown in Fig. 6 and the righthand loader in Figs. 9 to 13, the same numerals will be applied to both.

Each loader comprises a plate which is secured at the top of the front plate immediately above the applicator when in vertical position. In the center of the plate is a passage or throat 82 which, as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and'll, converges downwardlyfrom an opening va little larger than. the cover piece, as outlined in full lines in Fig. 25, to a size slightly less than the line B2, thus causing the uniform condensation or compression of the cover piece to which reference has been made. The dimension at the base of the throat is slightly less than the lineY B2 yso as to permit the compressedcover piece to fit zvithin the perimeter of the hand or applica- Within recesses at the top of the plate are a plurality of flat, light, spring metal strips 84 which, when the plunger is raised, assume the elevated positionshown in dotted .lines in Figs. 10 and l1 to support the lcover piece when inserted'in tthe loader plate. vThese .are held in place by a cover plate ,'85 `which is surmounted by a guide piece-8i` having-:a channel 81 leading to the throat of theV loader plate. The yoperator `slides the cover piece, cemented side up, onto the strips '84 throughthe channel 81.

Slidably mounted 4in ways 88 on the rear of the front plateare slides 88 to wh-ich are attached arms B'which extend Yupwardly and overhang the loader plate. -To the end of each arm is secured :the rod 9| having a shoulder 92 and attached at its lower end to a plunger 83, the undersurface `of which :is undulated, as shown, to fit the face of the applicator C. From the top ofthe plunger are extended vertical guidev rods 95,-the upper ends ,of which carry the adjusting nuts 98 and the washer 81. Slidably mounted on rods 95v is a cross head 99 and 4be-l tween the washers 91 and similar washers |00 adjacent the cross hea-d are the coil springs |8| which tend to keepthe cross head on the shoulder 92, but permit it to rise whenk it has reached the' downward `limit of movement and thus perj mit the plunger to continue its travel for the Vthe cover piece through the throat.A TIt will be observed, however, that the rods |05 are partially seated in grooves |06 cut into the wall ofr the throat which serve to Vguide the plurality of rods in their passage through the throat and to prevent the lifting of the cover out of the hand on the return movementof the gang of rods. As the cover'piece is cemented on the upper face presented to the rods, this is made to insure the freeing of the cover piece from the rods. It will also be observed that the rods,

4in pushing the cover piece through the throat,

bend inwardly to conform to the contraction of the throat andat the same time Vdepress the strips 84 and cause them to nest in recesses provided for their reception in 'the throat wall. On the return stroke the rods |05 reassume their straight condition andthe strips 84 rise to rekceive the vnext cover piece.

As the lower ends of the rods should meet the face of the applicator topress the cover piece in place, the several rods are adjusted to varying heights, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9. To accomplish this purpose the individual rods are held in position by set screws |08 which are located in the cross head and bear yagainst the rods. Y

In order to limitV the downward movement of the cross head, adjustable pins ||0 are mounted at the corners of each cross head'and strike the,

upper side of the loading plate 80 at the downward limit of travel. n

To describe properly the operation of loading, it is necessary to give some description of the applicators or hands, but, as stated, these members are described and claimed more fully in the copending application Serial No. 272,614.

`permits ythe sections to fold about the ball.

of articulated sections, each having its upper .face

shaped to correspond with a certain sector of the .-ball surface, the total area of the sections 'being equal to the area of one of the cover sections. When the applicator is to receive the cover section, it is substantially flat, but when moved toward the ball core it folds vor wraps around 'the core, applying its .cover section thereto. As

each applicator is equal in area. to a coversection, the two applicators completely surround the'ball during ,the covering operation. Y

Each applicator is shown herein as consisting of seven sections which are numbered ||5a, b, c, d, e, f and gl from left to right as shown 4in Fig. 9. The center section |5d is secured to the upper Yend of a carrying arm H6, while the outer sections |i|5a .and ||5g are .attached to lugs'l I8 to each of which is pivoted the operating lever .|I9. Except for the central section which is 20` pinned thereto, the several sections are slidably mounted upon a heavy learf spring I1 which A heavy rubber stricture band |23 surrounds the sections and holds them together while permitting the spreading as the sections wrap about the ball. The carrying arm H8 is slidably mounted Vin a plate |20 on the end of ashaft |2| rotatable ina sleeve |22 carried upon the vfront plate 3.' For a detailed description vof the operating mechanism for lmov-ing the applicator, reference is made to the copending application, it being sufcient for the present purposes -to state that the arm ||1|iy is received in the reciprocating 'sleeve |24, the upper end of which lcarries the -cross arm 25 to which the -operating levers I9 are vpivoted. As the 4sleeve |24 is moved upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, the `entire unit is moved until the arm ||6 reaches .a stop. This is as far as the unit is moved lfor the loading. When the untis to apply the cover, the sleeve moves for- I wardly to a greater extent, causing the vcross arm |25 to move'along` the arm |16, this movement fc'ausing the lsections to wrap about the ball.

In order to cause the upward movement of the applicator unit to loading position, there is provided for each' applicator a slide |21 `on the rear of v'the front plate, each slide moving in guideways |28 (Fig. 5). From the lower end of each 'slide and projecting through a slot 129 in` the `front plate is an angular bracket |30 on the outer yend' of which is carried an operating pin |32 Islidaloly mounted therein and held up by a spring |34. The upper end -of the pin is `cone-shaped so that it will enter the open lower end of the sleeve |24k when the slide |28 is raised. On the lower end of the sleeve are 'the adjustable stop nuts |35 which, at the upper limit of movement, strike the underside of the bracket |36 carried on the front plate. This bracket has a recess |31: to receive the tube when brought to vertical position, but

permits the applicator to rotate from the ver- Y position.

tical loading positiony to horizontal 'applying 'I'lierapplicator or hand consists of a plurality 75 upstanding margin |45. These margins define the line 132 about the cover piece and form a pocket tov receive and hold the cover piece until it is applied to the ball core, and as the wall overhangs theI` pocket, the cover piece is securely held in position until it is released by adherence to the ball core. By reference to Fig. 10, it will be seen that the composite margin formed by the walls above the applicator is slightly greater than the discharge end of the throat 82, so that when the cover piece is forced out of the loading plate it will surely enter the pocket on the applicator and will not be caught on the marginal wall. This also gives a slight excess space to receive the cover piece so that it will be better fitted therein when the plunger attens it out.

In the loading operation, the cover piece being in place, the plunger and the cross head with its spring rods |05 move downwardly to force the cover piece through the loader plate and at the Sametime the applicator moves upwardly to the position shown in Figs. l and 11 to receive it. In order to do this', the arm 90 moves down and at the same time the slide |21 moves up until the pin |32 enters the sleeve |24, whereupon the applicator unit moves upwardly until the loading position is reached as governed by the location of the nuts |35, the spring |34 permitting a slight over movement of the; slide |21. As the cover piece passes through the throat and into the pocket on the applicator by the action of the rods |05, it tends to bow upwardly, as shown in Fig. 10. When the rods |lhave reached their lowermost position, their cross head will stop, but the plunger 93 will continue to move downwardly until its lower face presses against the cover piece on theapplicator, which action will remove the upward bow in the cover piece and flatten it out into the applicator.

The mechanism for moving the plunger and the applicator jointly is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. To the slide 89 is attached the link |48, the other end of which is pivoted to the face of the gear |49. To the slide |21 is attached the link |50 which is pivoted at the other end to the gear |5|, these gears being of the same size and in- ,l

termeshed so that ,the slides advance and retreat in unison. The gear |49 is carried upon the shaft |53 rotated in the standard |54 rising from the bed plate and also supporting the shaft |52 for the gear |5|. The shaft |53 is attached to the driven member of the clutch 52 (or 55). These clutches are brought into action by the movement of the triggers 1| and 12, and as each clutch disk has one tooth only, the release of the clutches will cause one complete revolution of the shaft |53 which causes the plunger and its associated parts and the applicator to advance and recede from the loading plate, the result being that the cover piece is transferred to the applicator which, at the end of the movement, is brought back to the position shown in Fig. 1 and ready for rotation `to horizontal or applying position.

In order to complete the ydescription of this part of the mechanism, the means for rotating the applicators from their loading position to the applying position should be given. It will be recalled that each plate |20, which carries the applicator, is supported on theshaft |2| (Fig. 6). The end of this shaft is fixed to a crank |58 which is actuated by link |59 extending to the disk |80 and pivoted at IGI. Disk |80 is fixed to the end of the shaft |83 carried in bracket |64 mounted on the bedl plate and is attached to the driven member ofthe clutch 5| (or 58).

It will be recalled that these clutches are provided with two oppositely placed teeth so that as the triggers 69 and 10 are released, the shaft rotates 180 at each operation, this action turning the applicator from vertical to horizontal position where it remains until the applying of the cover is completed, whereupon the clutch is again released for a one-half rotation which brings the applicator back to horizontal position for the next loading.

It will'be observed that while the rotation of the shaft |63 is always in one direction and is in intervals of 180, the turning of the applicator is through an arc of 90 only and is in reverse direction. This is due to the fact that the shaft |2| is not in vertical alignment with shaft |03, as would appear from Fig. 6, but is at one side thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, the stroke of the link |59 turning the applicator through the requisite 90 in reverse directions.

Ball core supporting and gripping mechanism The prepared ball core A is placed in themachine by the operator upon a ball core support |10 located between the two applicator units and in such position that its center is in alignment with the center of the shafts |2| about which the applicators rotate.

This support (see Figs. 1, 2 and 24) is a plate having a cavity |1| to receive the ball. The plate is mounted upon the end of a shaft |12 mounted in a bearing |13 on the rear of the front plate and is fixed to a pinion |14 meshing with an idler pinion |15 driven by pinion |16 fixed to the shaft |2| immediately in front ofV the crank |58. The construction is such thatas the applicators turn from their loading to their applying position, the core support is moved downwardly into the dotted line position of Fig. 24 out of the path of the left hand applicator C.

As the operation just described takes place before the applicators reach the ball, it is necessary to hold the ball at points which are not contacted by the applicators at the moment of their contact with the ball core.

This operation is performed by two grippers which are constructed so that they move into gripping relation with the ball corejust before the core support moves downwardly, hold the ball until the applicators have contacted with it and start their enfolding movement, and'then retreat to clear the applicators. It has been found advisable to momentarily return the grippers to hold the ball just as the applicators are opening up 'after the conclusion of the covering and tamping operations, so that, as the applicators are withdrawn, any tendency to 'adhere to either one is overcome. After the covered ball has been released by the applicators, the grippers will return to their open position and the covered ball will drop out of the machine.

The grippers are shown in open position in Figs. 2 and 4 and in closed position, gripping the ball, in Fig. 8.

The two grippers are indicated by the numerals |80 and |8|, the adjacent faces being recessed to t the curvature of the ball. Gripper |80 is adjustably fixed on the end of a bar or arm |82 which is slidably mounted in a rubber bushing |83 held in place in the front plate 3 by a backing plate |85 and serves to cushion the return movement of the grippers. Gripper |8| is adjustably mounted on the endof vertical arm |86 which is secured to the bar |81 slidably mounted in the front plate below the arm |82. Surrounding the bar 81 between arin |'86and the front plate. is the spring |88. The facing surfaces of the. bars |82 and V|8'|at the rear ofi'the front plate are formed? as racks |89' engaging Vthe gear |90 mountedy upon a bracket |92 secured to the rear of the front plate. At its rear the bracket |92 is. formed with a 'angeto receive and guide the ends of the bars, and also? with a sleeve |95 which supports and guides an adjustable extension |88 of the bar |82. It .'Will be seen that as the4 bar |`82 is. reciprocated, the grippers approac and.- withdraw from gripping position. j

The end of the. barextension |98 carries a camroller |98 which is forced byy theL springv |81' againstA the surface ofthe. cam 200 which moves the grippers toward and' from the ball at the required moments. It willbe noted that cam 200 has an abrupt. face which secures .the instantaneous withdrawal of the grippers. The cam 200 is secured `to the upper end of the vertical shaft 202 supported. in a stanchion formedl as a part of the bracket supporting the shaft I4.

The lower end of shaft 2'02. carries.a bevel pinion 203 meshing with a seconddbevel gear 204 xed to the driven member 62. of the. clutch 5,0. The clutch member 5,0 isv provided with four teeth (Fig. 7), but as the. gear 2041 is.; twiceas large as the gear 203, a singleescapement of the clutchk v will rotate the shaft 202 andits cam 200 through 180 only, moving Vthe grippers in one direction only as is required first. to grip the ball and then to release it. As the second full operation of the grippers 'is for a moment only, two of the teethon the clutch 50 will be released, causing the complete reciprocation ofthe grippers at that moment.

The covering and tampingy operations The. above operations are performed while the applicators are inv thev horizontal position to which they are moved by the partial revolution of the shafts |2| and cranks |58 which have been described in connection with the loading operation. The positionr ofv the parts when this operation is being performed is shown in Fig. 8. When moved to the horizontal position, the tubes |24 are in alignment withtwo operating. slides mounted on the front plate, and as thesey slides are similar, only one will be described'. The one at the left appears inFig. 5.`

On the front plate 3, are mounted the paral-v lel guideways 208 between which is moved the slide 209 having. a. lug 2'|`0 which carries the adjustable cone-headedv pin 2I2 which enters the end of the tube |24 and moves it forwardly, a spring which is located within the tube returning the applicator when the 'slide is returned as is described in the formerapplication. Y

Attached to the slide 209. is a link 2|4 which is pivoted to the crank disky 2|5` secured to the end of shaft 2.|6 mounted in the bearing 2|8 on the rear face of the front platelf ,The shaft 2|6 is connected to the driven member ofthe clutch 53 (or 54). It will be noted that the clutch 53 Y has. two teeth, softhatif trigger 13 v(or 14) is released momentarily, the shaft` will revolve vthrough,180, advancing the applicator toward they ballror back rto its. original position( If, however, the escapement provided is released until b oth teeth have passed, the applicator will make a full stroke in one operation. This latter action. takes placey during the tam-ping and this operation for the applicators. alternates, as will be described. Y

As 4the two applicators vmove forward sim-ul- Adri-ven through the chain 43.

eraser taneously for their first stroke, they carry the ltwo cover pieces toward the ball,V but when the applicators strike the ball from opposite sides, they cannot move bodily any further because of a stop within. the tube |24 fully described in the former application, and the continued movement of the slide is translated in theY enfolding movementcreated by the independent movement of the cross heads |25 which", through the links H8, wrap the hands about: the ball from opposite sides and stick the cemented surface of the cover to the cemented surface ofthe ball core. Due to the action of the timing mechanism, as will be described, the left hand applicator C nowl withdraws, leaving the ball held bythe right hand, and immediately returns to tamp the cover in place. It will' beV noted that the margin around the hand may tendl to lift portions of the cover as: the hand withdraws, but the return stroke will smooth down such` irregularities and, in addition, the margin about the hand on the return stroke will dig into the' cover and tend to spread it out, closing Vthe space between-the edges of the cover sections.

After the left hand has performed its tamping operation', the right hand makes its return stroke while the ball is heldby the left.' Both applicatorsv now withdraw, freeing the ball, the grippers coming into pla-y at this time to insure the release of the ball.

It willy be notedv here that the stroke imparted to the applicators during the loading operation is shortery than the strokeV during the covering, the former not being sufficient to cause the hand to start a folding movement.

Timing mechanism Each of the several triggers or escapements is controlled by a solenoid, all' of which, except the solenoid for the trigger controlling thetiming shaft, are energized. by projection carrying disks mounted upon a single revolution timing shaft. As the main driving shaft'is rotating constantly and as the several clutches are. under compression by their respective springs at all times, the parts controlled by the several on the timing shaft act instantaneously upon the energizing of the respectivesolenoids.

Thel trigger or* release forV the timing shaft is thev lever'|`5 (Fig. 7) which engages. the single tooth on the driven member of the clutch 51 This trigger 15 is pivoted at 222 on a hanger 223i suspended from the bedplate I, the opposite end of the trigger being controlled by solenoid 225 which is energized' by the hand-operated' switch or push button 226'. When the operator has inserted the two cover pieces inthe. loader plate 80.' and placed the ball core on the. rest4 |10, he momentarily presses the button 226' which. releases. the trigger 'i5 and the timing shaft itsV rotation immediately. When the. button 2261 is released. the trigger I5 reassumesl its position and stops the timing shaft at the conclusion of one revolution which marks the complete. cycle of the machine.

kThe timing shaft. is indicated by the numeral 230, being mounted in brackets 23|.' rising from the bed pla-te and driven inthe direction of the arrows in Figs. I4 to 22' by sprocket 232, carried by the shaft 22T fixed to the driven member 'actuation of each part controlled thereby. The

A and 55.

timing shaft is screw-threaded and each disk is clamped between nuts 235. The solenoid energizing devices are the same in each case and av description of one will suice.

Beneath each disk on the timing shaft is located the lever 236 pivoted on a bracket 231 rising from the bed plate and having a roller 238 held against the surface of Athedisk by a coil spring 240. On the outer end of each lever is an adjustable contact linger 24| which closes the spring switch 242 on the bed plate immediately below the end of the lever and holds it in closed position depending upon the arcuate extent of the projection. When the points or lands on the disk reach the roller 238, the circuit to the respective solenoid is closed and the appropriate trigger (or triggers) moved to release its clutch for operation. If the projection on the disk is a point only, the release will be momentary, but if a land of some extent is provided, the trigger affected will be released for a sucient period to permit a longer rotation of the operating shaft controlled thereby.

Figs. 14 and 15 show the timing disk 245 which controls the operation oi loading the applicator; As this is a single operation in one complete cycle and as the clutch member controlled thereby has only one tooth, only a single point'246 is provided, and it will be observed that because it is the first operation to take place in the machine, this point is so placed as to act immediately after the starting button is depressed. The switch 242 thus makes a momentary contact and energizes the two solenoids which control the clutches 52 These are the solenoids 248 (Fig. 3) which actuate the levers 249 pivoted at 250. and connected at their opposite ends to the triggers 1| and 12.

The next elements which operate in the cycle of the machine are the grippers |80 and |8| which are controlled by the disk 252 (Figs. 16 and 11). This is a multiple disk made up of several laminae, each carrying a point so that the laminae may be shifted to vary the timing if desired. The composite disk, which is held together by nuts 235, carries two points and a land. It will be recalled that the grippers move together to grip the ball, dwell, retreat to release the ball to the applicators, and then make a quick reciprocation to hold the ball the instant that the applicators Withdraw. The iirst operation is controlled by the point 253 which is substantially contemporaneous with the point 246. This causes the grippers to approach the` ball where they stay until the point 254 is brought into play, whereupon the grippers withdraw. The land 255 comes into action at the end of the cycle and. owing to its wider face, causes the full reciprocation of the grippers.

The switch 242 of this unit energizes the single solenoid 258 which actuates the trigger 68 controlling the clutch 50.

The next operation is the rotation-of the applicators from loading to applying position, and this is controlled by the laminated disk 260 (Figs. 18 and 19). This operation takes place irrimediately after the loading and again after the completion of the applying and tampingoperations, returning the applicators to horizontal position beneath the loading plate. The first of said operations is controlled by the point 26| and the second by the point 262. The switch for this disk energizes the two solenoids 264, one of which is shown in Fig. 6, this solenoid rocking the lever 265 pivoted at 266 to the bracket 251 and carrying the trigger 69 (or 10)i y The laminated disk which controls the operation of the right hand applicator during the applying and tamping operations is shown in Figs. 20 and 21, and the one controlling the left hand applicator is shown in Figs. 22and 23. It will be observed that the right' hand disk 210 has a point 21| and a land 212, While the left hand disk 213 has a land 214 and then a point 215. This is because of the sequence of operations, the land on the disk 213 giving the full reciprocation to the left hand applicator while the point 21| moves the right hand applicator forward, whereas the land 212 causes the full reciprocation of the right handapplicator while thepoint 215 causes the withdrawal of the left hand applicator. It has been explained that if the trigger is depressed for a sufhcient time interval,v

its clutch will remain active long enough to secure the full rotation required.

The disk 210 controls the solenoid1218 which, l through the lever 219, actuates the trigger 14,

while the disk 213 controls the solenoid 280 which, through thelever 28|, actuates the trigger 13.

It will be recalled that the ball rest moves with the rotation of the applicators and requires no control mechanism.

Rsum

The operation of the machine will be reviewed briey:

The operator places the two cover sections in the loader and the ball core on the ball rest and then presses' the switch 226 located at some con- Venient point on the machine and thesucceeding operations take place automatically- The rst operation is the raising of the hands to the loading plate and the lowering of the arms 90 which carry the cross heads 93 and the plungers 93. The rods |05 force the two cover pieces `through their respective passages, condensing them until they are moved vout of the loader plate into lthe pockets in the hands The plungers follow this operation and flatten the cover pieces, causing themto fit within the overhanging margins. about the hands. The arms 90 then rise and the applicators carrying the cover pieces return to their lowered position. While lthis has been happening, the grippers |80 and |8| move inwardly and gripthe ball core. Then the applicators rotate into horizontal position, this action lowering the ball support |10. wardly and go through their motions of applying and tamping the cover as has been described and then separate and return to their vertical position, restoring the ball rest to its position. Just as the applicators reach the ball core, the grippers withdraw and then reciprocate as the applicators leave the ball at the end of lthe The applicators are then moved in-` device without the ball covering features and, in such case, the advantages of a uniformly condensed cover section would be realized. in such cases theA applicators Would act as receivers and retainers, for thecover and the plunger and the nexiblerods lassociated with itwouldact as a transfer device merely.

What is claimed is: l I Y l. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a ball core support, a flexible applicator of Cassinian outline, means to insert a preformed ball cover section in the applicator, and means to bring the applicatorand the ball core into contact. Y

2. A machine for covering tennis balls vor the like, comprising anr applicator, va loading device, means to bring the applicator and the loading device into juxtaposition and to' transfer a ball cover section from the loading device to the applicator, and means to ,bring the applicator and the ball core into contact. Y

` 3. A machine for covering tennisballs or the tion to a ball core, means to holdv the applicator adjacent the discharge end of the passage, and a transfer device movable through the passage to force a cover sectionthrough the passage and onto the applicator.

5. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a loading plate having a tapered passage, an applicator for applying the cover section to a ball core, means to hold the applicator adjacent the discharge end of the passage, and a transfer device movable through the passage to force a cover section through the tapered passage,` condense the same and eject the condensed cover section into the applicator.l

6. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a plate having a passage fora ball cover section and a reduced outlet opening, a reciprocating member movable through the passage and having means to force the cover section through thevpassage, means to receive the cover section and to hold it in condensed condition, and means` to apply the condensed cover sectionto a ball core. y

7. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a plate having a passage for a ball cover section, said passage being tapered to a discharge opening less in area than the coveI.` section, a plunger, a device carried by theplunger and adapted to press against the cover section and force it through the tapered passage, a receiver for the cover section having a pocket therein to hold the condensed cover sectionafter it issuesfrom the passage, and'means to apply the cover section to a ball core 4While held in the pocket of the receiver.

8. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a plate having apassage With a receiving opening for a ball cover section, said passage being tapered to a discharge opening less in area than the cover section, a plunger movable through the passage, a, device carried applicator, and means to ex the applicator around-a ball core.

10. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a sectional articulated applicator, means to deposit a ball cover Vsection on the applicator, and means to flex the applicator about a ball core. l

11.v A machine yfor covering tennis ballsor the like comprising aplate having a passage the entrance to which issimilar to the free cover section but tapered to a discharge opening of reduced area, anapplicator, means to movethe applicator to a position at the discharge opening, the applicator having a pocket less in areathan the free cover section, land a series of flexible rodsmovable along thewall ofthe passage while contacting the ledge of the cover section to force thefsection through the passage and into the pocket in the applicator.

, 12. VA. machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising a plate having a passage the entrance to which is similar to the' freecover 'section but tapered to a discharge opening of reduced area, an applicator, means tov move the applicator to a position at the discharge opening, the applicator having a pocket less in area than the free cover section, a series of iiexible rods movable along the Wallof the passage while contacting Athe edge of the cover section to force the section through the passage and into the pocket in the applicator, and a plunger to pressthe center of the coverv section into the pocket.

13. A machine for covering tennis balls or the like, comprising av plate having a passage the entrance to which is similar to the free cover section `but tapered' to a discharge opening of reduced area, an applicator, means to move the applicator to a position at the discharge opening, the applicator having a pocket less in area than the freecover section, a series of flexible rods l movable along the wall of the passage `while contacting the'edge of the cover section to force the section through the passage and into the pocket in the'applicatorLand a plunger movable with the ,rods and adapted'at the end of its stroke to press the center of' the cover section into the pocketA while the, rods are in contact with the edge thereof. l

14. In a machine for thepurposes set forth, a loading plate having afpassage for a cover section', an applicatorat thel discharge of said passage, a marginal wall about the Vapplicator to forma. pocket, means to move the cover section through the .passage and into the pocket on the applicator comprising `a device to bear against the edge of the cover section while itis moved through` the passage, and :means to move the applicator to a position adjacent a ball core.

15. Ina machine for the purposes set forth, a loadingV plate having a:passage for a cover section, an applicator atY the discharge ofsaid passage,` a marginal Wall about the applicator to form a pocket,means. to move the cover section through thepassage and into the pocket on.l the applicator comprising a device to bear .against the edge of the cover section While it is moved through the passage, a plunger movable` into pressing relation to the center of the cover section While inv the pocket, and means to move the applicator to a position adjacent a ball core.

16. In a machine for the purposes set forth, a loading plate having a passage for a cover section, said passage beingtapered to a discharge opening of less area than the free cover section,

an applicator at the discharge of said passage,a marginal wall about the applicator lto form a pocket, means to move the cover sectionithrough the passage and into the pocket on the applicator comprising adevice to bear against the edge of the cover section While itis moved through the passage, and means to move the applicator to a position adjacent a ball core.

17. In a machine for the purposes set forth, a loading plate having a passage for a cover section, said passage being tapered to a discharge opening of less area than the free cover section, an applicator at the discharge of said passage, a marginal Wall about the applicator to form a pocket, means to move the cover section through the passage and into the pocket on the applicator comprising a device to bear against the edge of the cover section while it is moved through the passage, a plunger movable into pressing relation to the center of the cover section while in the pocket, and means to move the applicator to a position adjacent a ball core.

18. A machine for covering tennis balls, com.- prising a ball core support, flexible applicators on opposite sides of the support, loading devices for inserting cover sections in the applicators, and means for moving the applicators from positions adjacent the loading devices to positions surrounding the ball core.

19. A machine for covering tennis balls, comprising a ball core support, exible` applicators on opposite sides of the support, loading devices for placing cover sections in the applicators, rand means for moving the applicators between the loading devices and the ball core and, Wrapping the applicators about the ball core.

20. A machine for coveringA tennis balls, comprising a ball core support, exible applicators on opposite sides of the support, loading devices having means for compressing cover sections and tting them in the applicators, and means for moving the applicators between the loading devices and the ball core and wrapping the applicators about the ball core.

21. A machine for covering tennis balls, comprising means to grip a ball core at opposite points, iiexible applicators to Wrap about the core and apply the cover sections thereto, and means to release the grippers as the applicators encircle the ball core.

22. A machine for covering tennis balls, comprising means to grip a ball core at opposite points, flexible applicators to Wrap about the core and apply the cover sections thereto, and means to release the grippers as the applicators encircle the ball core and to return the grippers to the ball as the applicators open at the conclusion of the covering operation.

23. In a machine for covering tennis balls, means to hold a ball core, flexible applicators `on opposite sides of the ball core, a loading plate for each applicator, means to move and hold the applicators into receiving relation to the loading plates while in flattened condition, means to move cover sections through the plates and into the applicators, and means to transfer the applicators from loading position to positions on opposite sides of the ball core and to Wrap the applicators about the ball core.

24. In a machine for covering tennis balls, means to hold a ball core, flexible applicators on opposite sides of the ball core, a loading plate for each applicator, means to move and hold the applicators into receiving relation to the loading 'plates While in flattened condition, means to condense a cover section and insert it While in condensed condition in each applicator, and means .-to transfer the applicators from loading position Yto positions on opposite sides of the ball 'core and to Wrap the applicators about the ball core.

25. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising a plate having a passage of the shape of a section but tapered to an area less than the free section, a series of flexible rods arranged about the edge of the section, a receiver at the reduced end of the passage, and means to move the rods through the passage while in contact AWith the Wall thereof.

26. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising aplate having ,a passage of the shape of a section but tapered to an area less than thefree section, a series of ilexible rods arranged about-the edge of the secf tion, a receiver at the reduced end of the passage, means to move the rods through the passage While in contact With the Wall thereof, and a plunger located centrally of the passage and Inovable to press the center of the section after it is moved into the receiver by the rods.

27. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising a plate having a passage corresponding to the cover section but tapered to a reduced discharge opening, a series of spaced rods arranged about the edge of the section, a receiver at the reduced end of the passage having a marginal Wall, and means lto move the rods through the passage to force the cover sectioninto the space enclosed by the Wall on the receiver.

2.8. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising a .platehaving a passage correspondin-g to the cover section but tapered to a reduced discharge opening, a series of spaced rods arranged about the edge of the section, a receiver at the reduced end of the passage having a marginal Wall, means to move the rods through the passage to force the cover section into the space enclosed by the Wall on the receiver, and a plunger movable through the passage to flatten the center of the cover section While on the receiver.

29. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising a plate having a passage corresponding to the cover section but tapered to a reduced discharge opening, a sec-- tional articulated applicator at the discharge opening, means to force the cover section through the tapered passage and into the applicator, and a plunger conforming to the contour of the applicator 4and operative to press the center of the cover section against the applicator.

30. A device for uniformly condensing a tennis ball cover section, comprising a plate having a passage corresponding to the cover section but tapered to a reduced discharge opening, a sectional articulated applicator at the discharge opening having a marginal Wall dening a section receiving pocket, means to force the cover section through the tapered passage and into the pocket on the applicator, and a plunger con- 

